Best International Travel Destinations for 2014

The hottest vacation trends for the 2014 are Caribbean cruises and Cancun once again top the list of best international destinations, according to the recent Travel Trends Survey by Travel Leaders.

Front-line travel agents throughout North America shared the international vacation destinations they are booking most often for their clients:

1. Caribbean Cruises. The islands that dot the Caribbean Sea offer blue skies, turquoise waters and sandy beaches, and a cruise ship will take you from one to another with the greatest of ease.

Some new ships will sail in the Caribbean during 2014, including the highly anticipated Quantum of the Seas from Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Getaway. These exceptional cruise ships are destinations unto themselves. Each has features that will make the time between islands as enjoyable as the islands themselves.

2. Cancun, Mexico. With some of the most beautiful, crystal clear water found anywhere, Cancun is a nearly perfect beach destination.

One of its most celebrated and environmentally-friendly new attractions can be found under those sparkling blue waters in Cancun’s Underwater Museum, which contains over 400 original sculptures within the protected National Marine Park of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Additionally, visitors can also explore some of the nearby “Treasures of the Caribbean, including Contoy Island, where there’s an abundance of beautiful bird life; and the charming fishing village of Puerto Morelos.

Best Options in European

3. Mediterranean Cruises. The beautiful and massive Mediterranean Sea has many diverse and captivating regions worth exploring. Whether you’re most interested in the sophisticated Riviera or the ancient history that can be found in Turkey or Greece or taking in the dramatic coastlines found in Croatia and Italy, you can enjoy some of Europe’s best traveling by sea.

Mediterranean cruises have grown in popularity in part because they offer the opportunity to experience it all from the comfort of your cruise cabin, meaning you only have to unpack once.

4. Rome, Italy. There’s a reason why this destination has earned its well-deserved moniker as the Eternal City. With ancient sights at almost every turn, including the instantly recognizable Colosseum along with the nearly 2,000 year old Pantheon, Rome offers visitors multiple opportunities to span millenniums easily.

Plus, it’s further buoyed by the individual heralded as Time magazine’s Man of the Year, who resides in the city state within the city – the faithful are flocking to see the popular Pope Francis, who provides regular blessings in Vatican City.

5. European River Cruises. River cruises are an increasingly popular way to see the interior of Europe in stylish comfort. Some river cruise lines also provide options for some additional time on land.